aspect patterns

Conjunctions 101 is the first post and our Aspects 101 Series. Over the course of these posts, we will cover all the major aspects, the angular relationships between planets and points used in astrology. Then, we'll go on to explore the minor ones. No stone left unturned. We're going to walk through this study step by step.

Let's get started.

Conjunctions 101 - What are they?

First of all, a conjunction represents two or more* planets in the same place. If you have the Sun at 2 Libra and Saturn at 2 Libra, they are conjunct. But, that's not all. There is, as with all aspects, a degree of 'orb'.

What is the orb for conjunctions?

Orbs for Conjunctions and other aspects, minor and major.

Technically, an orb shows the distance in degrees allowed for the aspect. In the case of the conjunction, the orb may be tight - 8 degrees either side. Or, it may be wide, 10 to 12 degrees apart.

In the example above, the conjunction is exact. Both sit at 2 degrees Libra. But what if the Sun was 26 Virgo and Saturn 2 Libra? Is it still a conjunction?

Yes! They are only 8 degrees apart and fall within the orb of a conjunction.

Also, an interesting fact, in ancient times, astrologers only considered same sign aspects. They would not call the Sun in Virgo and Saturn in Libra a conjunction, even if they were only 1 degree apart.

But now, we have refined the process. Take a look at my settings for the aspects in my Io Software program. You can see the orbs are adjustable, and I like them wide.

The Key to Understanding any Aspect

Remember this: aspects are like table legs. Pick one up and they all will follow. No exceptions. In this example, if you seek to shine as an individual (Sun) you will automatically awaken the containment or authority of Saturn. You can not do one without the others when they link by aspect, even if that means expressing one and pushing the other down into the unconscious.

Finding the Conjunctions

As you practice looking at a variety of charts, your eye will learn to pick up conjunctions easily. Even the out of sign ones. Meanwhile, you can double check with the aspectarian, the graph that shows us how all the planets and points are connected. Here is the aspectarian for the example chart.

What does the Conjunction Mean?

Painting by Andrea Kowch - like a conjunction, sitting side by side but having different desires.

Now, let's explore the meaning of conjunctions. This aspect links two or more planets or points that fall between 0 to a 10+ degrees of each other. They sit next to each other at the same table. Sometimes, they site in each other's laps!

A planet conjunct another planet or angle in the chart unites the energies* of the bodies involved. It brings them together in such a way that it may be difficult to distinguish one from the other. They can become like Siamese twins, distinct drives yet forever joined.

Are Conjunctions Easy or Hard?

Straight away, let's drop the value judgments around the aspects. Conjunctions make life neither good nor bad, easy or hard. What they do is connect.

Furthermore, the aspect's expression isn't set in stone. It changes as we evolve. A child with Sun conjunct Saturn my find their parents strict, controlling. As they mature, they might experience the Saturn drive for self-sufficiency and accomplishment as a taskmaster at school or a other authority figure. Eventually, they can become both the Sun and Saturn, taking responsibility for their own creative expression.

The Questions to Ask of the Conjunctions - An Example Chart

This is a chart of a woman with multiple conjunctions in the same sign (Libra) and mixed signs (Virgo and Libra) in the same house. We call either combination a *stellium and it indicates a concentration of focus. FIY, she is a couples counselor by profession. Can you spot all the conjunctions in this chart before reading on? Stop now, and give it a go.

Did you get them all? Check the aspectarian above to be sure, but in the 7th house alone, Moon is conjunct Mercury (out of sign). Also, Venus, Venus, Sun, Saturn and Pluto are conjunct within 10 degrees.

If we take just Sun and Saturn, we can ask, do they have compatible desires? Sun in Libra has qualities of poise, artistic appreciation and the drive to connect. Conjunct Venus augments those desires, but Saturn in Libra adds something else. Saturn's desire for autonomy can clash with the Sun who wants to bask not only in her own light but the light of others. Saturn may prefer to be alone, or, in the search for the 'perfect' partner throw out other counter-intentions. Is anyone good enough, for example...

Because this conjunction brings together different desires, it can seem like insurmountable contrast.

Working with Contrast

The first thing to do when faced with contrasting drives and goals is to give yourself credit. You are aware of it.

Second, instead of honoring one of the planets and resisting or repressing the other - instead of making it either/or - you engage with and/AND. Instead of creativity (Sun) or work (Saturn), find creativity AND work. If you are thinking partnered or self-sufficient, play with the idea of partnered AND self-sufficient.

The bottom line is, if you think it’s either/or, it will be, so use your awareness to pave new thoughts with and/AND. Freedom AND commitment. Money AND soul. Dream Job AND independence. Security AND love. Accomplishment AND spiritual life. Power AND creativity.

Summary

To conclude, a conjunction between two or more planets means they are scripted to dialog with each other. They are connected so that if one is active and ‘doing something’ the connected one wakes up too. They are partners, of sorts, always. Finding the And/and to the conjunctions in your chart can harmonize your desires, bringing pure magic to your manifesting.

Try it!

Also, is you missed our first call in the Doorways to Manifesting Series, you can listen to it here:

Notes

* A group of four (sometimes considered five) or more planets in a given sign or house is called a stellium.

* Basic Rules:
Planets are energy – the actors. They show us WHAT is acting.Signs are expression – the costumes the actors wear. They show HOW the actors move.Houses are environments – the stage on which the actor struts her stuff. They show WHERE the action is.Aspects are the scripts – the dialog between actors who are connected. They show WHY the actors are attracted to each other.

*What Activates Conjunctions

Three things will activate any aspects in the chart: time, place and people. Think of it like this:

The YOD aka Finger of God aka Finger of Fate

First know the YOD aspect pattern consists of two planets sextile each other and inconjunct (150 degrees) to a third planet sitting on the inverse midpoint. If you connect the dots, you come up with a lovely isosceles triangle. AKA YOD or Finger of Fate/God.

Check the examples to the left. The RED lines represent the inconjunct / quincunx (150 degree apart) and the green lines represents the sextile (60 degree apart). You can check your natal chart right now. If you have two (or more in some cases) planets 60 degrees apart AND 150 degrees to a singular third planet, bingo, you have a YOD.

The feature image above shows off the transiting YOD in late November 2018, perfected when the Moon reaches 7 degrees of Leo.

Remember, there are a lot of other chart patterns every bit as exciting as the Yod. For example the grand trine, which is three planets in the trine aspect of 120 degrees, (green lines) or squares and oppositions (red line).

How to read the YOD

So, what does the YOD mean? Here we can review the basic tenants of astrology to unravel it:

Planets are the actors

Signs are the costumes they wear

Houses are the stage or sets they act on

Aspects are the scripts/dialog the actors have with each other.

No matter what aspect, a dialog forms between the planets involved. The planets connect, like table legs (as Richard Idemon would say). Pick one up and anything in aspect comes up with it. In other words if you have Moon sextile Mars and get emotional, Mars energy will be there instantly. You may want to stand your ground or fight or take charge. The reverse is true too. If you take charge or get in a fight you might feel very deeply. Battle might be nurturing to you! With the YOD, you'll find three planets connected, scripted to interact. Interestingly, they will all be a different element and a different modality. It's often not a comfortable match, to start with.

YOD Examples

Let's imagine Mercury sextiles Mars and they are both inconjunct Neptune. If you activate Mercury by communicating, you automatically wake up the other two planets. The energy of Mercury sweeps along to Mars (action) and shoots toward Neptune to express. Ideally, the apex planet channels the energy of the other two.

How might this work out in real life? Let's say you're on a date and Mercury is talking, connecting and asking questions, having a great time. But doing so wakes up assertive go-getter Mars who wants 'a little less conversation; a little more action'. Mars gets bored and pushes in. At this point the dialog might turn to adventure, MMA, sports or stories about all the amazing things you've done. While that's going on, mystical Neptune stirs. Now things get dreamy, the wine flows and all the talk is about meditation, art, film or higher guidance. This can lead to a tug-o-war over who gets to express. It's a big job for the apex planet to orchestrate it all. A first date might have trouble handling it all.

Summary

To sum it up, the Yod means three, or more, of your planets are in dialog with each other and it's up to the apex planet to harmonize and express the energy. It's called the finger of fate or God because without awareness, and experience, it can be a source or contrast and challenge. Wherever it sits in the chart, (what houses or areas of life are activated) describes where a pattern of behavior or external events occur.

But 'fate' doesn't control you. Your thoughts do. Through awareness, you can learn to turn your YOD to gold.

Members, if you want to chat about your YOD on the forum, I've just made a new thread there.